Identifying Biomagnetic Sources in the Brain by the Maximum Entropy Approach

Magnetoencephalographic (MEG) measurements record magnetic fields generated from neurons while information is being processed in the brain. The inverse problem of identifying sources of biomagnetic fields and deducing their intensities from MEG measurements is ill-posed when the number of field detectors is far less than the number of sources. This problem is less severe if there is already a reasonable prior knowledge in the form of a distribution in the intensity of source activation. In this case the problem of identifying and deducing source intensities may be transformed to one of using the MEG data to update a prior distribution to a posterior distribution. Here we report on some work done using the maximum entropy method (ME) as an updating tool. Specifically, we propose an implementation of the ME method in cases when the prior contain almost no knowledge of source activation. Two examples are studied, in which part of motor cortex is activated with uniform and varying intensities, respectively.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures. Presented at 25th International Workshop on Bayesian Inference and Maximum Entropy Methods in Science and Engineering, San Jose, CA, USA Aug 7-12, 200

The Impact of Initial Trust on Usage Intention of Generative Artificial Intelligence: A Social Exchange Perspective on Human-Automation Interaction

Social exchange theory (SET) is a theory that is widely implemented to analyze or explain human behaviors and relationships. Nevertheless, as humans tend to behave socially toward technologies and computers, SET is applied in the field of human-automation interaction (HAI). Thus, this study adopts SET to investigate the interactions between humans and generative artificial intelligence (GAI). Because of the increasing popularity of GAI and the rising importance of technology integration in the workplace nowadays, this study values the research context of using GAI at work. Despite GAI could assist individuals while working, there are drawbacks of GAI, leading initial trust to an important role for individuals to assume the drawbacks in GAI adoption. Considering the utilization of GAI as a form of social exchange behavior, this work aims to examine the impact of initial trust on the usage intention of GAI while incorporating three moderating factors related to social exchange dynamics. The research methodology employs stratified random sampling to gather survey data from individuals with working experience. Research subjects are chosen from different industries. Subsequently, analysis will be conducted to evaluate the findings. Finally, this work can make a valuable contribution to the literature on HAI and can provide practical insights for organizations seeking to employ GAI technologies

Case Experience of Radiofrequency Ablation for Benign Thyroid Nodules: From an Ex Vivo Animal Study to an Initial Ablation in Taiwan

AbstractRadiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive technique, used with ultrasound or computed tomography guidance, which can produce tissue coagulation necrosis in various kinds of tumors in the human body. In the past 10 years, numerous studies about RFA in benign thyroid nodules have been published. Reviewing these studies, we noticed that the effectiveness of ablation was higher when it was performed with the “moving-shot technique” via an internally cooled electrode. A consensus statement published from the Korean Society of Radiology also suggested the moving-shot technique as a standard ablation procedure for benign thyroid nodule ablation in Korea. In Taiwan, most symptomatic benign nodules are currently treated with surgical removal. RFA for mass lesions is primarily performed for the treatment of metastatic hepatic tumors. In our case, we have attempted to introduce RFA for benign thyroid nodules in Taiwan. Because endocrinologists in Taiwan were not familiar with this technique, we adopted a stepwise approach in learning how to perform RFA. We conducted ex vivo animal ablation exercises to gain experience in setting the radiofrequency generator for the right ablation mode and appropriate power output. The thyroid nodule volume reduction rate after 1 year of follow up was approximately 50% in this case. The most important thing we learned from this trial is that we confirmed the safety of thyroid nodule ablation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported study of RFA of a thyroid nodule in Taiwan

‘Because I Don’t know’: uncertainty and ambiguity in closed-ended reports of perceived discrimination in US health care

Objective Surveys often ask respondents to assess discrimination in health care. Yet, patients’ responses to one type of widely used measure of discrimination (single-item, personally mediated) tend to reveal prevalence rates lower than observational studies would suggest. This study examines the meaning behind respondents’ closed-ended self-reports on this specific type of measure, paying special attention to the frameworks and references used within the medical setting. Design Twenty-nine respondents participated in this study. They were asked the widely used question: ‘Within the past 12 months when seeking health care do you feel your experiences were worse than, the same as, or better than people of other races?’ We then conducted qualitative interviews focusing on their chosen response and past experiences. Descriptive analyses focus on both the quantitative and qualitative data, including a comparison of conveyed perceived discrimination according to the different sources of data. Results To identify discrimination, respondents drew upon observations of dynamics in the waiting room or the health providers’ communication style. Our respondents were frequently ambivalent and uncertain about how their personal treatment in health care compared to people of other races. When participants were unable to make observable comparisons, they tended to assume equal treatment and report ‘same as’ in the close-ended reports. Conclusion Respondents’ responses to single-item, closed-ended questions may be influenced by characteristics specific to the health care realm. An emphasis on privacy and assumptions about the health care field (both authority and benevolence of providers) may limit opportunities for comparison and result in assumptions of racial parity in treatment

Individuation Revisited: Implications for Parent Education

Researchers have suggested that adolescents\u27 increase in autonomy is accompanied by maintaining close relations with parents. In this article, we explore this process of individuation from the perspective of mothers. Nearly 900 (n=878) white mothers of children aged 2 to 14 were interviewed via the telephone about their child\u27s independence and their perception of parent-child connectedness. Analyses revealed that from the perspective of mothers, while independence increased across childhood, parent-child connectedness decreased. These data suggest the need to support parents in remaining connected to their children as they enter adolescence. Implications of these findings for parent education are considered

How Employee Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence Affects Self-Evaluation: Investigating Implications for Job Insecurity and Career Commitment

This research delves into the transformative influence of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) on the self-evaluation processes of employees within contemporary organizations. In an era marked by rapid technological advancements, the integration of AI into various facets of the workplace is reshaping traditional paradigms. We use Self-Evaluation Maintenance (SEM) Model, which is our theoretical lens, and combining with the concept of Core Self-Evaluation (CSE) to conduct our research model. This study seeks to elucidate whether the usage of GenAI, specifically in the context of performance compares to GenAI, and then the impact on CSE, which we plan to use in this research, has discernible effects on how employees perceive and evaluate their own contributions. In addition, we adapt various reliable scales to assess the constructs in our research model. This research employs surveys and content analysis of questionnaire data to investigate the perceptions of employees in organizations that have introduced GenAI-driven tools for performance appraisal. The objective is to determine whether these tools, by providing real-time feedback, personalized recommendations, and novel evaluation metrics, result in changed self-perceptions and attitudes towards one\u27s work

From Smoking to Cancers: Novel Targets to Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors

Cigarette smoking bears a strong etiological association with many neovascularization-related diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and age-related macular degeneration. Cigarette smoke is a complex mixture of many compounds, including nicotine, which is the major active and addictive component of tobacco. Nicotine and its specific metabolized carcinogens directly bind to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) on cell membranes and trigger the nAChR signal cascade. The nAChRs were originally thought to be ligand-gated ion channels that modulate physiological processes ranging from neurotransmission to cancer signaling. For several decades, the nAChRs served as a prototypic molecule for neurotransmitter receptors; however, they are now important therapeutic targets for various diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, schizophrenia, and even cancer. This paper describes recent advances in our understanding of the assembly, activity, and biological functions of nicotinic receptors, as well as developments in the therapeutic application of nicotinic receptor ligands